SWOT Your ADHD: A Unique Approach
Stop being a dumb***
Intro
Understanding SWOT
A SWOT analysis—SWOT's that? Okay, enough with the puns. Don't worry there will likely be more.
Instead of doing this the boring normal way, let's go through what a SWOT isn't. It's not a magic bullet—yes, I know it sounds a lot like SWAT, but it's not. SWAT stands for, "Special Weapons and Tactics". They get to use all the cool stuff, and you can tell that because they have "special" in their name. If you survive the introduction, you're stronger than I.
A SWOT, though, is something that will benefit us in our ADHD-riddled lives. Therefore it's extra special, more special than SWAT, by a long shot—that rhyme really hit the spot.
Now that we've got that mini tangent out of the way, let's get to the actual meat of the article, or at least the introduction to the meat.
What SWOT Isn't
No Magic Beans Here, Throw That Idea Out The Window
SWOT isn't a magic bean bullet—it doesn't matter how special I tell you it is, it's still just a tool that you can have in your arsenal of ADHD treatments and helpful stuff. It's not a quick-fix for all your ADHD-ly worries. It's a starting point. We have ADHD, we love starting points! They are our bread and butter. We can't get enough of starting things. It's the finishing we have problems with. A SWOT analysis can be our special starter—our entre to the delicious mains of self-discovery.
I definitely wished SWOT the cure-all for what ails us, but it's not and I want to set some realistic expectations because I can tell you were getting by reading (or hearing, I haven't decided if this will be a podcast episode or not—most likely will be) my wonderful words. This article/podcast episode is more casual than my first two, isn't it?
You're Not Perfect, and That's What Makes You Beautifully Awesome
Going through a SWOT analysis isn't a pathway to perfection—I'm not one to advocate for striving for perfection. You're not going to eradicate all your weaknesses—that's not the point, as we'll see later on. As I found out, it's more about being able to recognise your weaknesses and grow as a person.
Is That Static I Hear? No, It's Tinnitus
SWOTs are not a one-time deal, they're not a static, set-it-and-forget-it process. At first, I thought SWOTs were basically a snapshot of myself at a particular point in time. Now I prefer to think of them more as a kind of living document that grows alongside me as I grow as a person.
Judge-free Zone
Try not to think of SWOTs as a judgement or harsh criticism into who you are. Instead, I like to think of them as honest, be-real-with-yourself, constructive criticism feedback loop exercises. Sometimes when you go through your first SWOT session, it may feel as though it's a harsh critique activity, at least it did for me. However, try and take a step back and realise it's just something to help yourself grow and be better.
We All Need a Little Understanding
With all the nots out of the way, let's get on with the show! What on Earth does SWOT even stand for? No, I'm not talking about its morals and ethics—it's an acronym, not a military-type organisation whose day-to-day life likely involves making split-second moral and ethical decisions.
SWOT stands for:
Strengths
This is the stuff you're good at—your inherent talents, skills and positive attributes—your strengths.
Weaknesses
I was originally going to state this is the other end of the strengths scale, but it's not—weaknesses are simply areas that you struggle with or need improvement.
Opportunities
Are external factors you can leverage for your personal growth—like a SWOT analysis!
Threats
Are the external challenges that may get in the way of your progress.
There Are Some Benefits, Right? Benefits of SWOT'ing Yourself
Do you really think I would go through the trouble of writing all this just to lead you astray? Don't be silly, I'm much more likely to lead you astray in other ways, such as laughing at inappropriate times or teaching you how to become an expert at putting your foot in your mouth.
Of course there are benefits! Here are some absolute beauties:
Becoming Sentient Gaining Self-Awareness
How self-aware are you? Bit of a catch-22 question when you think about it. Well, by going through a SWOT analysis, you'll (hopefully) become a lot more self-aware. What does that mean in practice? It will provide insight into your capabilities as well as the areas where you can improve the most. Though there is some debate as to whether you should focus on your strengths, or prop up your weaknesses. Personally, I'm of the belief that it depends on how weak your weaknesses are and what you can do to supplement them with something else—or what other options you have.
Laser-Focused Planning
This process will be a step in the right direction toward effective planning and goal-setting. You'll be well on your way to creating actionable plans all the while taking your unique needs into account.
It'll Give You Power to the 'Em' Degree (Empower...yeah I know)
Do you think you suck and are terrible at everything? Well, this technique is precisely the thing you need! No, it's not snake oil—I honestly don't even know exactly what snake oil is, I assume it's something that's made up—remind me to look it up, would ya? Going through this will help boost your confidence and give you the motivation you so desperately crave!
Be Like a Chameleon—Not Exactly Like a Chameleon, That's a Bit of a Poor Analogy—Adaptable is the Word I'm After For This Excessively Long Heading
This will give you the tools you need to see challenges and adapt to them in ways you haven't been able to previously. By understanding your strengths and weaknesses you'll be much better equipped to take on challenges and be so much more adaptable than you previously were.
Do We Take the Steps Or The Elevator? Well, These Are The Steps, Sooo....
What’s your ideal environment for some good ol' self-reflection? Have you ever carved out specific time just for this? For me, it’s all about being alone—completely and utterly alone. It’s like a mini-vacation for my brain.
Steps to Do It Yourself
Find Your Zen Zone
Choose a spot where you feel at ease and free from distractions. Your cozy corner at home, a quiet café, or maybe even a serene park if that’s your jam.
Personally, I thrive in the solitude of my own space. It’s just me, my thoughts, and the occasional curious cat staring at me through the window, with that, what the f are you doing, silly human look on their face.
Gather Your Arsenal
Arm yourself with a pen, some paper, and perhaps a steaming cup of crushed up coffee bean juice. If you’re more digitally inclined, a notes app works just as well.
I love the tactile satisfaction of writing things down. Plus, it’s an excuse to use my e-ink tablet—every stroke feels like a professional writer from the 1800s, with a digital twist.
Map It Out
Draw a big plus sign on your paper to create four sections. Label them as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Think of it as your personal treasure map.
When I first did this, I felt like an explorer charting unknown territory. It adds a bit of excitement to the process.
Brain Dump
Start jotting down whatever comes to mind for each section. Don’t worry about it being perfect or organised—just let it flow.
The first time I did this, I ended up with, Punmaster Zero under strengths. It might sound silly, but hey, it’s a skill!
Phone a Friend
Sometimes, we’re not the best judges of our own abilities. Consider asking a trusted friend or family member for their perspective.
I asked my best friend, and they reminded me of strengths I had totally overlooked. Like my knack for remembering random trivia—who knew that could be useful?
Reflect and Strategise
Look at your completed SWOT. What patterns do you see? Use this to create an action plan. Focus on leveraging your strengths and opportunities while finding ways to address your weaknesses and threats.
I realised that many of my opportunities were tied to things I hadn’t fully embraced, like networking. It was a real eye-opener
Conclusion
And there you have it—your very own SWOT analysis. This isn't a one-and-done deal; think of it as a living document that evolves with you. Keep revisiting and tweaking it as you grow.
To wrap it up, up, and away:
SWOT Isn’t a Magic Fix
It's just a starting point, not an instant solution.
It’s Not About Perfection
Your imperfections are what make you, you.
It’s Not Static
Keep it updated as you change and develop.
It’s Not Judgmental
Be kind to yourself, dumbass—this is about growth, not criticism.
By understanding your strengths, acknowledging your weaknesses, spotting opportunities, and preparing for threats, you'll be better equipped to navigate the ADHD landscape. Give it a try—you might discover some surprising things about yourself.
Whether this ends up as an article or a podcast episode, the goal remains the same—helping you become a more self-aware, empowered, and adaptable version of yourself. Now, isn’t that something worth striving for?
Stay awesome!
That's it for now, as always, good luck, stay safe and be well!
See ya!
P.S. I know my pictures and handwriting have been lacking lately! I will be getting back into the swing of things, don't worry your pretty little noggin.